Hoa Lu Festival 2021 opens with water procession

Attending the event were Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Pham Quang Ngoc, who is also Head of the Organizing Committee of the Visit Vietnam Year 2021, and leaders of provincial departments and agencies.

The procession ritual witnessed processionists holding colourful flags, musicians, drummers, palanquin carriers, village elders and a man playing the role of King Dinh Tien Hoang. 

They started from the King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple and headed to the Hoang Long River. 

Water taken from the river was brought back to the temple as an offering made during a ceremonial prayer for peace, favourable weather conditions, bumper crops and prosperity for local people.

The water procession ritual is performed annually to remind of the tale of a yellow turtle emerging from the Hoang Long river to rescue Dinh Bo Linh (later King Dinh Tien Hoang) who ran away from his uncle's sword. 

After taking the thrown, the water procession ritual was performed annually by King Ding Tien Hoang to show his gratitude to the yellow turtle, and to show his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous life for local people, and bumper crops. 

The water procession is one of the  important rituals of the traditional Hoa Lu Festival.

Translated by Nguyen Thuy